Nick in Moldova

Frontline report: Russian forces hunt down their own soldiers trying to surrender near Orikhiv - Euromaidan Press Russia's elite VDV paratroopers faced annihilation near Orikhiv after 22 of 26 assault vehicles were destroyed in a single day. As survivors attempted to surrender, their own command turned drones on ...

Not quite yet, but Putin is working on it...

euromaidanpress.com/2025/10/27/f...

Frontline report: Russian forces hunt down their own soldiers trying to surrender near Orikhiv - Euromaidan Press Russia's elite VDV paratroopers faced annihilation near Orikhiv after 22 of 26 assault vehicles were destroyed in a single day. As survivors attempted to surrender, their own command turned drones on ...

This report is about a month old, but still...
It's not just the drunken dregs of Russia treated like dirt.

euromaidanpress.com/2025/10/27/f...

The Russian VDV "Elite" paratroopers, (Body builders in blue and white T shirts), are also expendable, & thrown into the meat grinder, then hunted down.

I was wondering what happened to the Russian Elite VDV paratroopers....

Not seen anything on them in a long, long time...

Russian contract soldiers of the “new generation” keep impressing their commanders with their top-tier fitness and skills. Fully “ready” for the next assault.

21/ This has already had significant impacts on Russian military capabilities. In September 2025, it was reported that as many as 70% of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's new recruits were chronic alcoholics and drug addicts.
bsky.app/profile/chri...

Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵

"Trump wants a peace deal that rewards Putin and punishes Ukraine. He wants a peace deal with no European input and which he can impose on Ukraine. He wants to get back to business with Putin as soon as possible and start making money"

Defence Committee: “questions raised about UK’s fundamental ability to defend itself” - Committees - UK Parliament In a report published today, the Defence Committee sounds the alarm over the UK’s ability to defend its homeland and Overseas Territories, finding that we may be failing to meet our NATO Article...

I was also surprised to see discussion of 'an orderly transition of responsibilities' from the US to other NATO allies within the alliance - while I & many others agree this is necessary, UK parliament openly discussing this is quite something.

Full report: committees.parliament.uk/committee/24...

Details on case of truck with weapons detected at Moldovan-Romanian border The Customs Service will conduct an internal investigation, in order to identify any potential el...

www.moldpres.md/eng/society/...

Truck with weapons detected at Moldovan-Romanian border

’The truck was discovered by the Romanian customs authority, after the customs service officer on the Moldovan side requested the initiation of a check, given that the scanner is on the Romanian side. '

Russia struggles to build home-grown planes as Western sanctions bite Unable to buy aircraft or replacement parts from the West, Russia will find much of its existing commercial fleet unusable by 2030.

BBC Russia News

Russia struggles to build home-grown planes as Western sanctions bite

Unable to buy aircraft or replacement parts from the West, Russia will find much of its existing commercial fleet unusable by 2030.

bbcrussian.substack.com/p/russia-str...

Trump's Monster

So, everyone knows Trump does not want the Epstein files released.

Whatever he said.

Yet EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE SENATE VOTED TO RELEASE THEM IN FULL!

Not one Republican did what he actually wanted.
No stalling, no amendments.

Is it just me, or does this feel like a catastrophe for him?

I'm not worried about reports that Trump is pushing for "peace" on Putin's terms, other such plans went nowhere.

I found out that US sales of Liquid Natural Gas are up 25%, largely driven by energy sanctions against Russia.

Americans are profiting from Russian sanctions.
So that won't stop.

The Piggy.

Seems about right.

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg "Recession in Russia almost inevitable" warns Russian paper.

Today one Russian paper is crowing over reports of a US-Russia peace plan: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine? That’s all in the past.” But the state of Russia’s economy is nothing to crow about: “Recession is almost inevitable.” Plus, one editorial, with two messages..? #ReadingRusia

Alexei Leonov paints plien air, with a whole load of cosmonauts looking on!

Alexei Leonov paints plien air, with a whole load of cosmonauts looking on!

I watched the clip a few times in amazement. It's vile just how unmasked he is at that moment. Everyone should watch it and understand what a true monster that man is.

If Europe is holding back because they don't want to jeopardize their relationship with the U.S I have news.

Trump enjoying a light snack.

"Quiet Piggy"

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg "Russian industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline,” says Russian paper.

In today’s Russian papers: the new icebreaker Stalingrad, 14-year-olds can now be prosecuted for sabotage & “Russia’s industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline.” #ReadingRussia

Ukrainian refugees represent 2% of the Irish population. Advice to Ukrainians and Moldovans? Get involved in politics in Ireland, join parties, be active - Thomas Byrne, Irish Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Squirrels in Valea Morilor park on Monday, #Chisinau #moldova

Earlier today I saw the responses to Dodon getting upset about corruption in Ukraine…

The lack of self awareness was jaw dropping!

1. Europe does not blow up railways. Russia does.
2. Europe does not fly drones to threaten anyone. Russia does.
3. Europe does not operate botfactories to sow dissent. Russia does.
4. Europe does not commit cybercrime for ransom money. Russia does.

I don’t believe that they will return.

He needs to keep the war economy, contracts get extended indefinitely.

He has no way out, so it’s a forever war. With anyone.

If the Ukraine war ends, he starts another one.

Russia's crisis in wage arrears continues to grow, with almost daily new announcements by firms unable to pay workers for months. Now up 400% from just one year ago.

EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos: Russia has thrown hundreds of millions of euros into malign interference in Moldova in the recent elections but for the fifth time since 2020, they failed. And Moldova won

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg "Half of all Russian clothes and shoe shops have shut down", says Russian paper

One Russian paper today reports that “Half of all clothes and shoe shops in Russia have shut down….[due to] drop in incomes & slowing economic growth.” Another wonders whether Russia is suffering from “economic stagnation or technical recession.” #ReadingRussia

I see several who are regularly openly mocked on FaceBook...

Ion Ceban's attacks about the cost of, err, mackerel, are seen as particularly ludicrous.

(I think I've never seen mackerel on sale here?)

Dodon's wild posturing about how popular his bunch really are is also widely mocked.

skyview.social?url=https%3A...

Good thread by @cristiancantir.bsky.social

"Traditional Family" From Zona Libera on FaceBook.

"Traditional Family"
From Zona Libera on FaceBook.